Spina Bifida

Im sorry, that must have been frightening news to hear.
I don't have personal experience with it, but we do have friends to have a boy with it. They were given a very grave prognosis and encouraged to terminate the pregnancy. They repetidly refused the terminations and have gone on to have a delightful boy. He does have some urinry thing...a cathiter perhaps? and he walks funny...I think this is due to him having no feeling in his feet. They were told he would never walk amongst other things, but he has proved them wrong.
The medical profession tend to give you the worst case senario...I guess as a way to try and prepare you some-what.

From what I have read in your posts over the couple of years I have been a member on OB, you seem like you are a lovely couple who I am sure will rise to any challenge you are faced with.

All the best, and my thoughts are with you...

What a shock the news must have been for you I don't know anyone with it, but I do know it can vary from being very mild to severe, and the issues that come with it depend on where the problem is in the spine. Once you find out more details about your bubs, google might be of some help, but I agree stay away from it for the time being. Hopefully you'll have some follow-up soon?

Stacey, big ((hugs)) as that must've been such a shock to hear.... good for you that you are straight onto researching what your bubs has though. Also, very good move not googling it! I also thought there was a range of severity with spina bifida; I would be inclined in the first instance to contact the SB foundation and get some info from them via phone or website. I'm sure there's tons' of support available. I hope your mw can get back to you ASAP hun so you can also get some answers from her too.  

I don't know anything either, I hope your midwife has some good info for you.

Stacey I'm sorry to hear that, it must be so scary for you. I work in NICU so can tell your a little bit about it. It is quite hard to explain so I have googled myself to find the right words.

Spina Bifida is complex condition involving the spinal cord, brain and meninges which is the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord. It has varying degrees of severity and the complications of spina bifida can range from minor physical problems to severe physical and mental disabilities. It is important to note, however, that most people with spina bifida are of normal intelligence. Severity is determined by the size and location of the malformation, whether or not skin covers it, whether or not spinal nerves protrude from it, and which spinal nerves are involved.

You have a scary upsetting few weeks ahead of you as you find out more about your little boys condition but I would encourage you to start researching now. You will be referred to a specialist team, that will do further scans to determine the severity of his condition and will then have councelling with a specialist team involving obstetricians, paediatricians and surgeons, where they will discuss the implications of his condition on both his and your lives. As JD mentioned you may be offered a medical termination if it is believed the condition is very severe, this is entirely you and your families decision and you should in no way feel pressured into it. No one will ever judge you. Just wanted to prepare you for that.

I have "screened" google for you and found a few appropriate websites for you to look at if you are ready for that.

Here and Here

Oh I'm sorry to hear that.
We were told at our 20week scan that we had a chance of Spina Bifida with our baby. Defiantly don't go google crazy as I did and it did me more harm than good.There are so many variations of Spina Bifida but you always assume the worst. I cried for 3 days until we had another scan.
Luckily our little one only has a little dimple in her back, she had an ultrasound when she was born and got the all clear. My Aunt and Uncle both have dimples so its obviously a family thing.
Hopefully its a mild form.
Take care of yourself

Sorry Stacey. I hope you can get some information about your bub soon. Thinking of you.

Stacey, I'm so sorry. It must have been a real shock and it's so hard when you have the diagnosis but little information. SB is very variable and until you've had more scans and tests, you won't know what the possible outcomes are. I hope you can get more scans and information soon.

Stacey, this must be a very difficult time for you and your DH. I'm sure you will be able to find out more info from a specialist and support groups.

When I was younger the girl next door had Spina Bifida, the only thing that made you realise that she had it was that she was in a wheelchair, although she sometimes used a walker thing or crutches. Although I have not had any contact with her in several years my Mum told me earlier this week that she will be turning 30 soon. She has always had a very positive outlook and her physical disability has never been an issue in how she lives her life.

Oh i am so sorry to hear that wishing you all the best and a great big